Oct. 25, 2008

LOWELL – Senior F Matt Dubois (Dracut, MA) scored two goals in the first half as UMass Lowell and Stonehill College played to a 3-3 deadlock Saturday afternoon in a Northeast-10 Conference men’s soccer clash at Cushing Field. With the draw, UMass Lowell stands at 9-2-4 overall and 8-1-3 in the NE-10 entering Wednesday’s regular season finale against Southern New Hampshire (7:00). With a victory, the River Hawks can earn a share of the NE-10 regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the NE-10 Tournament, beginning Sunday, Nov. 2. Stonehill stands at 4-9-3 overall and 1-9-2 in the Conference and hosts Merrimack Tuesday at 3:30. The River Hawks led 3-1 at the half but surrendered goals in the 50th and 84th minutes. Junior F Shaun Keeley (Woburn, MA) cut the deficit to 3-2 just after the half when his header off a scramble in the box tricked across the line. Sophomore M Michael Bridges (Sandwich, MA) was credited with an assist as his free kick facilitated the play. The Skyhawks leveled in the 84th when sophomore M Todd Shigo (Naples, ME) launched a free kick from the left side to sophomore F Tyler Hebert (Rockland, MA) on the right side of the six-yard box, who settled and slotted inside the left post. Dubois opened the scoring in the seventh minute when he tapped in off a rebound off a saved attempt by sophomore F Stephen Potcner (Wilmington, MA). Senior M Matias Pietropinto (Leominster, MA) jumpstarted the play when he volleyed from the back to free Potcner. The Skyhawks knotted the score in the 22nd when junior D Ben Irzyk (Wakefield, RI) took a touch from Keeley on the right side of the box, turned and volleyed into the top left corner of the goal. Dubois gave the River Hawks a 2-1 lead just over two minutes later when he beat a Stonehill defender on the left side and bent his right-footed attempt inside the far post. Senior M Jamie Wangia (Lowell, MA) gave UMass Lowell a 3-1 cushion in the 32nd minute when his header off a volley from junior D Rudy Kocandrle (Northboro, MA) beat Skyhawk goalkeeper Brandon McFarlane (Norwich, CT). The River Hawks outshot Stonehill 23-16 overall and 18-7 on target. Junior G Ryan Richards (Holden, MA) stopped four shots while McFarlane halted 14 shots for the Skyhawks.

UMass Lowell 3, Stonehill 3 (2OT)
At Lowell, MA

Goalkeepers
Ryan Richards (UML): 4 saves, 110:00
Brandon McFarlane (STO): 14 saves, 110:00